RADIOGRAPHIC CEPHALOMETRY OF THE FACIAL PROFILE

Radiographic cephalometry is a biomorphological measuring method used in the prosthodontics as well, and for the facial profile analysis of persons with complete dentures. The purpose of this examination was to objective the facial esthetics in, patients with complete dentures. T he measurements were taken from LL X-ray radiographs obtained by the a pparatus ''Ortoceph 10'' (Siemens, Bensheim, Germany). On the sample o f 80 subjects a convexity angle of facial bone structures (N-A:A-Pg) a nd: profile angle of soft facial tissue (ft-unt : int-ct) have been ex amined. The subjects were divided into a group with upper and lower co mplete dentures (20 males and 20 females) and a group with natural tee th of eugnatic characteristics (20 male and 20 female). The measuremen ts were taken by standard protractor at 0.5% precision. The statistica l analysis within and among groups has been made by F-test and t-test respectively. The results showed that the bone structure convexity ang le span a range between 0 degrees and 5.5 degrees (X=2.5 degrees), and the facial profile angle between. 139.5 degrees and 155 degrees (X = 149 degrees) in persons with complete dentures. In persons with natura l teeth the values of bone structure convexity angles span a range bet ween -0.5 degrees and 4.8 degrees (X = 2 degrees), (and the facial pro file angle between 136 degrees and 155.5 degrees (X = 151 degrees). Th e results of tests proved that there were no statistically significant differences in. examined variables between persons with natural teeth and those with complete dentures (p > 0.05). The conclusion is that c linical! methods of determining the vertical and horizontal intermaxil liary relations used in the designing procedures of complete dentures were reliable enough in reconstruction of examined angles of soft and hard facial profile structures.